PSEG notifies NRC of intention to seek 20-year license renewals for South Jersey nuclear plants

PSEG Nuclear has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to seek subsequent 20-year license renewal for the Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, and Hope Creek Generating Station.

The three generating stations, which collectively produce nearly half of New Jersey’s electricity and 85% of the state’s carbon-free generation, are co-located on one site on the Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township in Salem County.

Through a letter of intent submitted March 28, PSEG Nuclear informed the NRC that it expects to submit the application for extension in the second quarter of 2027, which would commence an approximate 2-year comprehensive NRC review and approval process to help ensure the continued delivery of 3,468 megawatts of clean, carbon-free generation. This early notification is intended to provide the NRC with time to ensure resource availability when the formal applications are submitted in 2027.

If approved by the NRC, the license renewal applications for the Public Service Enterprise Group-operated Salem Unit 1 and Unit 2 would be extended from 2036 and 2040 to 2056 and 2060, respectively, and Hope Creek station would be extended from the current 2046 expiration to 2066.

“For more than five decades, the nuclear generating stations in South Jersey have safely generated reliable, always-on carbon-free energy,” said Chaz McFeaters, president and chief nuclear officer of PSEG Nuclear.

“Seeking to renew our licenses signifies our commitment to continuing to contribute to New Jersey’s clean energy future and serving as a vital economic engine for the local community.

“I’d like to recognize Congressman Bill Pascrell, the author of the federal nuclear production tax credit legislation in Congress, without which we would not be considering these investments in the site.”

In addition to ambitious clean energy goals, New Jersey prioritizes economic development and attracting new industries and their related infrastructure.  PSEG officials said the company remains committed to supporting New Jersey’s economic growth plans, including new opportunities that require the highly reliable, 24×7 base load, carbon-free power produced by our nuclear plants.

PSEG’s Salem 1 and 2 and Hope Creek units also deliver positive local economic impacts, directly employing approximately 1,600 people with additional contract workers supporting refueling outages and major project work each year. The generating stations also foster an extensive indirect workforce throughout the community as employees engage with local services. In addition, since Salem Unit 1 came online in 1977, employees of the generating station have extensively given back to the community through volunteerism and partnerships with local nonprofits and agencies.

The announcement drew praise from a number of key leaders in South Jersey:

  • State Sen. John Burzichelli (D-Glassboro): “Nuclear power is a clean resource that provides reliability and diversity to the state’s supply of energy. Since 1977, PSEG Nuclear’s commitment to South Jersey has been at the heart of our region’s economy and their continued and expanded investment means more opportunities for our community as part of New Jersey’s clean energy future.”
  • State Sen. Michael Testa (R-Vineland): “South Jersey’s nuclear plants consistently, reliably and affordably deliver power for our state, day and night, regardless of the weather. PSEG’s continued investments are a win-win, yielding benefits in the form of clean energy for our state and economic activity for our region.”
  • South Jersey Building Trades Presidents Daniel Cosner: “In addition to its 1,600 strong regular workforce, PSEG regularly engages with skilled workers in the trades to support refueling outages and major project work, which benefits our region’s economy through interactions with local businesses and engagement in the community.”